behind the frame the finest scenery ending explained

#Behind the frame the finest scenery ending explained movie

Not yet thirty years old, Tarkovsky had just graduated from VGIK (the Gerasimov All-Russian State Institute of Cinematography), the world’s oldest educational institution of its kind. There’s a stark juxtaposition at the end of the film seeing Dani covered in beautiful flowers as she watches her former friends, many of whom have already died, be burned alive in the ceremonial structure.Andrei Tarkovsky’s objective in Ivan’s Childhood (1962) was, in his own words, “to establish whether or not I had it in me to be a director.” He succeeded brilliantly: this austere, minimalist, and poetic film was the first major accomplishment in an oeuvre that would become one of Russia’s main contributions to the treasury of world cinema. While there’s a literal connotation with that meaning when the flowers guide Christian to his doom, there’s also a perversion at play. Finally, flowers guide Christian to the building where he ultimately cheats on Dani.įlowers are also often used as symbols of rebirth and fertility. After the group travels to Sweden, Dani picks flowers for Christian, who couldn’t be more aloof. However, flowers come up many other times in the film, often at points to signal great emotional gravity.įlowers are seen in the wallpaper in Dani’s parents’ house when they pass away, triggering Dani’s emotional journey throughout the film. Flowers come up prominently in the film, most notably when Dani earns the title of May Queen and adorns a large floral dress. MIDSOMMAR ENDING AND OTHER IMPORTANT POINTS What other symbolism is in the film? Just like earlier in the film when the village shared in the old person’s pain (you know what we’re talking about), the villagers empathize with Dani in a way no one else has. The female villagers surround her and share in her grief. When she catches Christian cheating on her, she runs out of the hut screaming and crying, but something different happens. They’re all on the couch, and Dani is seen through the mirror above, physically separated from them.Īll this changes when Dani goes to the village. This is expressed visually in the film when Dani goes to talk to Christian’s friends. If that foundation isn’t there, it leads to people feeling alone and isolated even when they’re surrounded by other people. When your partner is happy, you share in their joy. When your partner is upset, you should be upset, too. Dani likely stays because she doesn’t want to lose someone else at this time, but there’s a lack of shared empathy between the two.Įvery relationship is different, but each one depends on a foundation of shared empathy. It’s clear this relationship just isn’t panning out, or at the least, it’s just not something Christian is interested in helping Dani get through her family’s passing. She’s reaching out to him for help, thinking the worst has happened to her sister, and he really just blows her off. Hear what Midsommar director Ari Aster has to say as he mentions Eyes Wide Shut and Modern Romance as influences.Įxamine Dani and Christian’s relationship in the film’s overture.

#Behind the frame the finest scenery ending explained movie

While Midsommar is a folk horror movie in the same vein as The Wicker Man, it’s essentially a breakup movie. THE MOVIE MIDSOMMAR EXPLAINED What is our Midsommar analysis? By looking at the film through these sections, we gain a better understanding of the film’s central themes. Dani screams and hyperventilates, and everyone else follows suit. She breaks down in hysterics, but the other women join her in her pain. The ending of Midsommar kicks off after Dani sees Christian having sex with one of the villagers. Dani bitterly states how she thinks Christian would do the same. For example, there’s a moment everyone believes Simon left the village without telling his girlfriend Connie behind. Over the course of these days, we see Dani slowly realize how manipulative and emotionally abusive Christian has been. The second section takes place throughout the midsommar ceremony. While Christian is sympathetic, it’s clear he’s only staying with her because she’s suffered such an immense loss. The first section involves Dani becoming traumatized over the death of her sister. Dani is the primary protagonist, and we can divide the film into three sections to track her progress.